New Works By Five Emerging Canadian Composers Brought To Life By The TSO

The TSO invites audiences to discover new music performed by the Orchestra for the first time right before their ears! In an ongoing commitment to support the development of emerging Canadian composers and the creation of new orchestral works, and to give the public the opportunity to witness artistic creation first-hand, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) introduces Explore the Score. This program is presented in collaboration with the Canadian Music Centre (CMC).

Emilie LeBel, TSO Affiliate Composer, notes the importance of this type of experience for emerging composers. "This is a rare and exciting opportunity for early-career composers to work with an orchestra and conductor of exceptionally high calibre, and to receive critical feedback on their composition work from composers, conductors, and musicians. This learning opportunity will propel their artistic development forward!"

Since 2012, the TSO has given some of Canada's top emerging composers an opportunity to hear their brand-new works rehearsed in a live professional orchestral setting. This program is unique in that it brings together a cohort of composers to work with a renowned orchestra to receive mentorship from a variety of artistic and administrative staff. This program has helped launch acclaimed Canadian composers currently enjoying notable careers including Vivian Fung, Andrew Staniland, Jordan Pal, Kevin Lau, and Abigail Richardson-Schulte.

On January 12, as part of the special score reading session, the TSO will be débuting new compositions by five emerging Canadian composers who were chosen after a rigorous selection process. This year's TSO Explore the Score composers are Sean Clarke (Ottawa), Keiko Devaux (Montreal), Kathryn Knowles (Toronto), Julia Mermelstein (Toronto), and Scott Ross-Molyneux (Calgary). The composers will receive feedback in a closed session on January 12 from TSO Composer Advisor Gary Kulesha, TSO Affiliate Composer Emilie LeBel, members of the Orchestra, and TSO Principal Librarian Gary Corrin.

In addition to the Explore the Score session, the emerging composers receive a library workshop led by TSO Principal Librarian Gary Corrin and TSO Affiliate Composer Emilie LeBel to review how scores and parts are prepared for the Orchestra. The composers will be invited to attend a rehearsal for the January 16 TSO performance at the 21C Music Festival, as well as the concert (taking place at Koerner Hall). Each composer will also receive an individual mentorship session with Emilie LeBel, and a copy of an archival recording of their work for their personal review and/or grant-application purposes.

For the first time, this January, the TSO will open Explore the Score to the public. Admission is free for this special event, which takes place Saturday, January 12, 2019 (10:00am to 12:30pm) at Roy Thomson Hall. By granting access to the general public, the TSO offers an exclusive opportunity to witness an important but little-known process in emerging composers' career development-a behind-the-scenes glimpse. Audience members may reserve their space here.

One of Canada's most respected arts organizations, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) plays a vital role in the city's dynamic cultural life. Committed to serving local and national communities through vibrant performances and expansive educational activities, the TSO offers a wide range of programming that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. With a notable recording and broadcast history complementing international touring engagements, the TSO is a unique musical ambassador for Canada around the world.

The TSO continues its long-established history of connecting younger generations with orchestral music. Two core programs include School Concerts, performed for over 40,000 students annually, and the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO), which, in a tuition-free model, offers high-level orchestral training for talented young musicians aged 22 and under. Additionally, the TSO supports the development of next-generation artists through its annual open call for Canadian orchestral scores, and its essential Resident Conductor and Affiliate Composer positions.

Peter Oundjian was named TSO Conductor Emeritus at the end of his 14-year tenure as Music Director in June 2018. In the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons, Sir Andrew Davis will serve as Interim Artistic Director, prior to the arrival of the TSO's new Music Director in 2020. Sir Andrew Davis is well known to Toronto audiences, having a 44-year relationship with the TSO. Maestro Davis opens the 2018/19 season and returns to the TSO stage regularly in each of his two seasons as Interim Artistic Director. Gustavo Gimeno will begin serving as the TSO's Music Director in 2020/21.

The TSO was founded in 1922 by a group of Toronto musicians and gave its first performance at the historic Massey Hall. Since 1982, Toronto's iconic Roy Thomson Hall has been the TSO's home, drawing patrons from around the world. Soon to celebrate its centenary, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's name remains synonymous with musical versatility and growth, and artistic distinction.